Taliban Fired First In Chaman Border Clash, Says Pakistan
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information on Thursday rejected claims by the Taliban that Pakistani border forces initiated gunfire in Chaman, asserting instead that Taliban fighters opened fire first and Pakistani troops responded “proportionately.”
In a statement, the ministry said the situation was swiftly brought under control and that the ceasefire between the two sides remains in effect.
Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistani forces of firing on Taliban border units in Spin Boldak, Kandahar, while negotiations were under way in Istanbul. Mujahid said Taliban fighters refrained from returning fire “out of respect for our negotiating team and to prevent civilian casualties.”
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Islamabad remains committed to ongoing talks and expects Taliban officials to take a similar approach.
The incident marks the first exchange of fire since last month’s ceasefire agreement in Doha. During four days of talks in Istanbul, both sides agreed to extend the truce, but Islamabad has warned it will take stronger action if the Taliban fail to curb cross-border militant attacks originating from Afghan territory.
